Quick Summary:
- From Terminal B Arrivals, follow “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars” signs.
- Allow 30 to 60 minutes from landing to reaching car hire desks.
- Use the APM train to the Rental Car Center, then walk.
- Keep your confirmation, driving licence, and card ready at desk.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) can feel big on first arrival, but reaching car hire pick-up from Terminal B is straightforward once you know the sequence: exit Arrivals, follow the right overhead signs, take the airport people mover to the Rental Car Center (RCC), then head to your provider’s desk and the garage pick-up area. This guide focuses on the most common Terminal B route, plus what signage to look for and how much time to allow from Arrivals to the desks.
If you are comparing providers and desk locations before you arrive, these Hola Car Rentals pages are a useful reference for the airport set-up and available options: car rental at Orlando Airport and car hire at MCO.
Know where you are in Terminal B
At MCO, Terminals A and B share the main terminal building. “Terminal B” generally refers to the B-side of the main terminal where many international and domestic arrivals feed into the same Arrivals level. After you clear the aircraft and walk into the terminal corridors, you will usually pass through the concourse area and down into the main terminal’s Arrivals/Baggage Claim level.
Before you start following signs, check two things:
1) Your baggage claim number. The screens in Arrivals show carousel numbers by flight. Collecting bags is often the longest part of the process.
2) Whether you need the Rental Car Center. At Orlando Airport, most major car hire companies operate from the dedicated RCC, reached via the airport people mover (APM) train. This is the standard route for pick-up.
Step-by-step: Terminal B Arrivals to Rental Car Center
Step 1: Exit Arrivals and look up for the right overhead signs. From the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level in Terminal B, follow overhead signage that typically reads “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. In most cases you will be walking towards the centre of the main terminal, not out to the kerbside pick-up lanes.
What to look for: large overhead signs with transport icons, plus “APM” or “Train” references. If you see “Hotel Shuttles” or “Ride App Pickup”, you are near the kerbside exits and you may have drifted away from the rental car route.
Step 2: Head to the APM (airport people mover) for the Rental Car Center. The Rental Car Center is not inside Terminal B itself. The most reliable path is to follow signs for the APM to the RCC. The APM is an automated train system that runs frequently and is designed for travellers with luggage.
Typical walking time: 5 to 12 minutes from baggage claim area to the APM platform, depending on where your carousel is and how busy it is.
Step 3: Ride the APM to the Rental Car Center. The APM ride is short, but you will also account for waiting time on the platform. Trains typically come often, so waits are usually modest even when the airport is busy.
Typical APM time: about 3 to 5 minutes riding, plus 2 to 10 minutes waiting and boarding time.
Step 4: Exit at the Rental Car Center and follow “Rental Car Counters”. Once you step off the APM at the RCC, you will see clear wayfinding for rental counters. Follow the flow of passengers into the building. You will usually enter an area with multiple company desks grouped together.
Tip: Take a moment here to organise your documents before you queue. If you already know which company you are collecting from, scan the overhead signs to choose the shortest queue.
From the desks to the pick-up garage
Step 5: Check in at your car hire desk (or follow instructions for self-service). Many providers use a combination of staffed counters and kiosk systems. Either way, the goal is to obtain your rental agreement and directions to your vehicle’s aisle or zone.
Have ready: driving licence, passport (if required), payment card used for the booking, and confirmation details. If additional drivers are included, they should be present with their licences.
Step 6: Follow signs for “Rental Car Pick-Up” or “Garage”. After the desk, you will go to the pick-up area, usually in the adjacent garage structure connected to the RCC. Follow the floor markings and overhead signs. Staff may also point you to a specific aisle, bay, or vehicle class area.
Typical walking time: 3 to 8 minutes from counter area to your vehicle, depending on provider location and how far the assigned aisle is.
Step 7: Vehicle check, load up, and exit. Before you drive away, do a quick walkaround. Check for visible scratches, wheel scuffs, windscreen chips, and the fuel level. If anything looks off, flag it to staff immediately so it is noted. Then load luggage, set up navigation, and follow the exit signs for the garage. You may have a gate or attendant where your agreement is verified.
How long to allow from Arrivals to car hire desks
Your total time will vary most with immigration, baggage delivery speed, and queue lengths at the desks. For many travellers, a realistic planning range is:
Fast end (no delays): 30 to 45 minutes from stepping into Arrivals to reaching the car hire counter area. This assumes baggage is quick and the APM platform is not crowded.
Typical: 45 to 75 minutes when bags take time and there is a moderate queue at the RCC.
Busy peak periods: 75 to 120 minutes if several flights arrive together, baggage is slow, or counter queues are long. In school holiday periods, it can be worth budgeting extra time, especially if you have a timed hotel check-in or a dinner reservation.
To understand which brands and desks you may be using at the RCC, you can cross-check the relevant Hola Car Rentals airport pages such as Orlando MCO car rental, plus brand-specific information like Avis car hire at MCO or Hertz car hire at MCO.
Signage to follow, and common wrong turns
Best signs to follow: “Rental Cars”, “Rental Car Center”, “APM”, “Train to Rental Car Center”, and “Ground Transportation” when it is grouped with rental car symbols.
Signs that can pull you the wrong way: “Hotel Shuttles”, “Resort Transportation”, “Taxis”, “Ride Apps”, or “Passenger Pick-Up”. These are useful for other transport modes, but they are not the primary route to the RCC counters if you are collecting a standard airport car hire.
If you end up outside at the kerb: you can usually re-enter and follow the indoor signs back towards “Rental Cars”. It is often faster to turn back inside than to hunt for a shuttle at the kerb that does not serve the RCC.
Accessible route and travelling with children
Accessibility: The APM system and RCC route are designed for wheeled luggage and include lifts, ramps, and step-free boarding. If you need assistance, ask an airport staff member near baggage claim or the APM entrance for the most direct accessible path.
With pushchairs and car seats: Keep smaller items consolidated so you can board the APM easily. If you are bringing your own child seats, consider packing straps or a trolley-friendly bag, as you will be moving through corridors, onto the train, then into the garage.
Practical tips to speed up your pick-up
Organise documents before you reach the counter. Most delays at the desk come from travellers searching for confirmations, licences, or the correct payment card. Get these ready while you are on the APM or walking into the RCC.
Know your party and driver details. If you need an additional driver, that person should be present. If not, you might need to return later, which costs time.
Decide on navigation early. Mobile data may take a few minutes to settle after landing. If you plan to use your phone for navigation, download offline maps or set your first destination while still on airport Wi-Fi.
Inspect before you exit. A 60-second walkaround is faster than trying to resolve an issue later. Check mirrors, tyres, and obvious bodywork marks in the garage lighting.
What “car hire pick-up” means at MCO
At Orlando Airport, “car hire pick-up” usually means the vehicle collection lanes in the Rental Car Center garage, not a kerbside pick-up point at Terminal B. The desks are located inside the RCC, and the vehicles are parked in the connected garage area. That is why the APM is such a central part of the route from Terminal B Arrivals.
If you have booked a speciality vehicle class, you may be directed to a particular aisle, a separate booth, or a dedicated section. Follow the instructions on your paperwork and any overhead signs, and ask staff in the garage if the bay numbers are not obvious.
FAQ
Q: Can I walk from Terminal B to the car hire desks without taking the train?
A: For standard Orlando Airport car hire pick-up, you normally use the APM to reach the Rental Car Center. Walking the whole way is not the usual passenger route.
Q: How early should I plan to leave Terminal B Arrivals to collect my car?
A: A sensible target is 45 to 75 minutes from Arrivals to the desks, with up to 120 minutes in peak periods if immigration, bags, or queues are slow.
Q: Which signs should I follow from baggage claim in Terminal B?
A: Follow “Rental Cars” and “Rental Car Center” signs, and then “APM” or “Train”. Avoid heading outside for taxis or ride app pick-up.
Q: What if I accidentally exit to the kerbside and cannot find rental cars?
A: Go back inside and follow indoor “Rental Cars” signage towards the APM. The main rental desks are not located on the terminal kerb.
Q: After I get my keys, where do I pick the car up?
A: You will go to the Rental Car Center garage pick-up area. Follow “Rental Car Pick-Up” or aisle directions given at the counter.
